Karunanidhi funeral: DMK chief M Karunanidhi passed away in Chennai on Tuesday. He was laid to rest at 7 pm at the Marina beach. Family and supporters bid an emotional adieu to the tall Tamil Nadu leader.

M Karunanidhi laid to rest&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspTimes Now

Chennai: The late DMK chief M Karunanidhi was buried near the Anna memorial at Marina Beach in Chennai after a brief legal battle. A massive procession followed the mortal remains of the Dravidian stalwart as they progressed through Sivananda Road and Thanthai Periyar Road to reach Anna Square. The funeral procession began from Rajaji Hall at 4 pm on Wednesday.

Family members, supporters and fellow politicians bid a teary-eyed adieu to Karunanidhi, as he was laid to rest adjacent to the mausoleum of his mentor CN Annadurai. The golden casket, in which Karunanidhi’s mortal remains are kept, has the engraving in Tamil, "Oivu edukamaluzhaithavan, idhooivueduthukonduirukiran”, which means "one who worked hard without taking rest, is resting in peace here". Karunanidhi's son Stalin, daughter Kanimozhi and others were seen standing next to their father's mortal remains as they were being lowered for burial.

Earlier on Wednesday, two persons were killed and 33 others received injuries in a stampede outside the Rajaji Hall as lakhs of supporters gathered for a final glimpse of their Kalaingar.

Karunanidhi's funeral - AS-IT-HAPPENED:

7.00 pm: Karunanidhi was laid to rest in full military honours. The family and supporters of the Dravidian stalwart bid an emotional adieu to the leader.A teary-eyed Stalin was seen standing next to the mortal remains of his father when they were being lowered for burial.

6.45 pm: Karunanidhi's son Stalin, daughter Kanimozhi paid tributes to their father. The mortal remains of one of Tamil Nadu's tallest leaders are now being moved for the final rites. The family is standing next to the body of their father as Armymen begin lifting the body.

5.55 pm: The funeral procession has now crossed the University of Madras. Army, Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel have been waiting at the burial site to conduct the state honours for Kalaignar M Karunanidhi.

5.40 pm: The funeral procession enters Beach road. The number of followers is increasing with every mile covered. There was a small lathi charge, Times Now reports. It is likely to take a few hours before the procession reaches the burial site.

5.33 pm: Workers of the DMK party accompany Karunanidhi's mortal remains as the procession crosses Wallajah Road, where a statue of his mentor Annadurai has been erected.

5.18 pm: Heavy security has been deployed along the route leading to Marina beach. A DMK flag has been reportedly placed beside Karunanidhi's head. Supporters are seen waving party flags as they bid adieu to the Dravidian stalwart.

5:03 pm: Karunanidhi's son and former Union minister M K Alagiri arrived at Anna Memorial just a while back. The late DMK chief's other sons - M K Stalin and M K Tamilarasu - are already at the Anna Memorial.

5:00 pm: Late DMK chief Karunanidhi's body has been draped in the national tricolour. He continues to wear his trademark black glasses, yellow shawl, white shirt and dhothi.

4:55 pm: The distance between the Rajaji Hall and Marina Beach is about 1.7 kilometres - thousands have lined up on the roads leading to the Marina to catch the last glimpse of their beloved leader. PTI reported that hundreds wearing black shirts and carrying Karunanidhi's pictures could be seen following the hearse.

4:45 pm: Preparations are in full swing at Marina Beach for the burial of late DMK chief M Karunanidhi. His funeral procession is underway and started a while back from Rajaji Hall. Kalaignar will be laid to rest adjacent to his mentor and DMK founder CN Annadurai.

4:30 pm: Karunanidhi's funeral procession is moving from the Rajaji Hall towards Marina Beach, where the DMK patriarch will be laid to rest with full state honours.

4:00 pm: Surrounded by a sea of supporters, Karunanidhi's final journey begins. The burial of DMK president and five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi will take place at the Marina Beach. Several Chief Ministers, politicians, and Tamil film fraternity members paid tribute to the late DMK chief.

3:53 pm: Karunanidhi's final journey will begin shortly. The late DMK chief's mortal remains will be taken to Marina Beach for burial. A number of leaders, including NCP president Sharad Pawar, are witnessing the procession.

3:40 pm: DMK Mumbai unit in charge R Palaniswamy reveals how late DMK chief M Karunanidhi helped fund a library and a school in Mumbai 35 years ago. "We told him about non-availability of a community school in the Tamil-dominated Dharavi area. We also told him that lack of funds was a major factor in the construction of the school. He asked senior party members to do the needful and ensure that the school is opened. Due to his proactive support, our branch got enough funds which not only helped us build the school but also purchase office space and books for the school library," Palaniswamy said.

3:25 pm: The Supreme Court has refused to entertain Traffic Ramaswamy's plea seeking a stay on the last rites of Karunanidhi at Marina Beach. Ramaswamy had moved the apex court against the Madras High Court order which allowed to perform the last rites of Karunanidhi at the Marina Beach.

3:15 pm: ANI reports that two people were killed while another 33 injured in the scuffle and stampede that took place outside the Rajaji Hall in Chennai, where late DMK chief M Karunanidhi's mortal remains are kept.

2:45 pm: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has paid his last respects to M Karunanidhi at the Rajaji Hall in Chennai. Meanwhile, preparations are underway at the Marina Beach in Chennai for the state funeral of M Karunanidhi.

2:35 pm: The death toll in the stampede near the Rajaji Hall has risen to two, reports Times Now. MK Stalin a shortwhile back appealed to DMK supporters gathered outside Rajaji Hall to maintain calm and cooperate with the police to maintain law and order.

2:25 pm: Congress president Rahul Gandhi is at the Rajaji Hall in Chennai where the mortal remains of DMK chief M Karunanidhi have been kept for the people to pay their last respects. Rahul too paid homage to the late DMK chief.

2:22 pm: RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav seen with MK Stalin at Rajaji Hall. Both are in Chennai to pay homage to Karunanidhi who passed away on Tuesday evening.

2:15 pm: Here's the picture of the coffin in which late DMK chief M Karunanidhi will be laid to rest. The message on the coffin reads: "A person who continued to work without rest, now takes rest".

1:52 pm: Those who are in power are trying to create chaos, but you have all shown the strength of the cadres. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace: MK Stalin

1:48 pm: Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin addresses the DMK supporters gathered outside Rajaji Hall, urges them to maintain calm and cooperate with police to ensure that everybody gets a chance to pay homage to Kalaignar. "I request the cadre to remain calm, I did not want anything for myself. All I want is a fitting tribute to Kalaignar," says Stalin. As per a report, one person has died near the Hall due to the rush.

1:30 pm: Former prime minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda will arrive in Chennai soon to pay his last respects to Karunanidhi. In his condolence message, Gowda had said: "His (DMK chief's) understanding and emphasis on social welfare stood out. Firmly committed to democratic ideals, his strong opposition to the Emergency will always be remembered."

1:18 pm: A press release by the DMK reads: "Mortal remains of Karunanidhi will be taken from Rajaji Hall through Sivananda road, Thanthai Periyar road, cross Anna Statue and move through Valajah Road and taken to Anna Memorial where the remains will be buried with full state honours. Procession to start at 4 pm."

1:10 pm: Scuffle breaks out between the Tamil Nadu Police and crowd gathered at Rajaji Hall. Police have resorted to lathi charge. In Coimbatore, a DMK supporter gets his head tonsured as a mark of respect for Karunanidhi.

12:58 pm: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and many other political leaders in the country express sorrow at the death of Karunanidhi. "The death of M Karunanidhi, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and senior politician, deeply disturbed me. I express my deepest sympathy for everyone, including his family and supporters who have been saddened by the loss of Anna," tweets Sirisena. Meanwhile, Rajapaksa tweets: "His contributions to Tamil literature, cinema and politics are unparalleled. I join the millions of people who are mourning. My deepest condolences to the family and people of Tamil Nadu."

12:49 pm: United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi writes a letter to MK Stalin, condoling the passing away of Karunanidhi. In the letter, the former Congress president describes Karunanidhi as a "towering figure in the world of politics". "He was like a father figure to me," writes Gandhi.

12:40 pm: Times Now has accessed a rough sketch of the spot where Karunanidhi will be laid to rest at the Marina Beach. Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin had broken down on hearing the news that the Madras High Court allowed the burial of his father at Marina Beach. Find the sketch here:

12:25 pm: The funeral procession of DMK chief Karunanidhi will begin from Rajaji Hall at 4:00 pm. The Madras High Court earlier today permitted the burial of DMK president M Karunanidhi at Marina Beach. Karunanidhi's body has been lying in state at Rajaji Hall for public homage. Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien will represent Trinamool Congress at the funeral.

12:20 pm: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says: "I was unhappy yesterday as the government did not allow the Marina Beach burial. I had called the CM but he was unavailable. I also personally called the PM in this regard."

12:05 pm: DMK supporters gather outside the Anna Memorial at Chennai's Marina beach. JCB machines have also reached the spot following the Madras High Court's judgement that M Karunanidhi will receive the burial at the Marina Beach. After an overnight legal drama, the DMK won the battle on Wednesday.

11:50 am: DMK leader MK Stalin has penned an emotional letter to his departed father, "Can I call you Appa for one last time my leader." The five-time Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader for 50 years, 94-year-old Karunanidhi breathed his last yesterday. In his letter, Stalin said: "Rather than calling you as Appa, Appa, I have called you as Thalaivaray, Thalaivaray (my leader) more number of times. Can I call you as Appa once Thalaivaray."

11:35 am: The crowd outside Rajaji Hall, where the mortal remains of M Karunanidhi are kept, is swelling. Meanwhile, the Congress has tweeted: "Fighter Kalaignar wins the last battle too. We welcome the verdict of the Madras High Court, a victory for his life and legacy." The Madras High Court, earlier today, rejected the arguments of the Tamil Nadu government against the burial of Karunanidhi's body at Marina Beach.

11:15 am: PM Modi meets Karunanidhi's son and political heir MK Stalin and comforts him with words of solace. The PM is leaving Rajaji Hall now. Stalin and other DMK leader saw him off. Meanwhile, both the houses of Parliament have been adjourned after paying obituary references to DMK chief M Karunanidhi.

11:10 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the Rajaji Hall in Channi to pay last respects to M Karunanidhi. After going around the casket in which Karunanidhi's body was wrapped in the tricolour, the Prime Minister meets Karunanidhi's family. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharamn is accompanying the PM. The PM also greets with folded hands the crowd of mourners.

11:00 am: DMK's advocate V Kannadasan says: "The DMK's plea for the burial of Kalaignar's body near Anna memorial has been accepted by the Madras High Court. The court further directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure and establish a memorial for Kalaignar."

10:45 am: The Madras High Court has reportedly ruled that Karunanidhi will be allowed to be buried at Marina Beach. DMK workers have erupted in joy on hearing the news. Relieved DMK supporters are seen celebrating the order, while emotional MK Stalin broke down at Rajaji Hall.

10:40 am: On the eve of his 86th birthday in 2010, Karunanidhi had donated his Gopalapuram residence to Annai Anjugam Trust for setting up a hospital for the poor. The hospital would be named Kalaignar Karunanidhi Hospital. Noted Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu and former union minister A Raja and are among members of the Trust.

10:31 am: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed at the Meenambakkam airport in Chennai. He will arrive at the Rajaji Hall shortly. Parliament proceedings will be adjourned today after paying homage to Karunandhi.

10:30 am: Senior Counsel Wilson argues: "In a writ of certiorarified mandamus, we are testing the decision of the government. This is not a writ of mandamus." Acting CJ tells senior counsel Wilson: "You need not convince CS Vaidyanathan, you have to convince the court. Therefore argue only on that line." Arguments are over. Acting CJ begins dictating orders in DMK RS Bharathi’s plea.

10:28 am: Justice SS Sundar points out to senior counsel P Wilson of DMK that any family member of Karunanidhi has not approached the HC. "I thought CS Vaidyanathan will argue legally, but he has argued with a vengeance," claims Wilson. Vaidyanathan objects to the personal attack against him as a legal professional.

10:27 am: As Vaidyanathan says that a writ petition cannot be heard and disposed of urgently like this, Justice SS Sundar asks sarcastically, “Shall we adjourn it by a week?” CS Vaidyanathan contends: "Today’s dismissal of cases filed by Traffic Ramaswamy and others will not invalidate a decision taken by the State yesterday. Doing so will amount to doing injustice. Application of mind has to be tested on the basis of circumstances that prevailed on the day when the decision was taken by the Govt. It was a fair application of mind yesterday."

10:25 am: "The Tamil Nadu government has passed a detailed order containing all the reasons for denying a place at Marina Beach for Karunanidhi. That has not been challenged by DMK," contends Tamil Nadu government senior counsel CS Vaidyanathan. "There must be a right and a corresponding duty to seek a writ of mandamus. It is not the sentiment which should compel a court to issue a writ of mandamus." He concludes that the state has the highest respect for Karunanidhi and "petitioner RS Bharathi of DMK is not agitating a bonafide cause and no ground is made out for entertaining the writ petition."

10:20 am: Outside the Rajaji Hall, DMK workers are shouting "Marina Vendum, Marina Vendum "(want Marina), referring to the party's request for the burial site at Marina Beach. A hearing in this regard is underway at the Madras High Court.

10:10 am: Meanwhile, Rapid Action Force has been deployed outside the Anna memorial. The hearing in the case against denial of burial land for Karunanidhi's body at Marina beach is underway at the Madras High Court.

10:05 am: As a mark of respect for Karunanidhi, the Tamil Nadu government has announced a holiday for schools as well as state government offices and undertakings on Wednesday. No private buses will ply to and from Chennai till Wednesday evening. People from different parts of Tamil Nadu are arriving in Chennai using other modes of transport.

10:00 am: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan arrives at Rajaji Hall in the heart of Chennai to pay his last respects to former CM M Karunanidhi. Many other politicians, as well as people from all walks of life, have been paying homage to the DMK leader since his mortal remains reached at the Rajaji Hall this morning.

9:55 am: Tamil Nadu government senior counsel CS Vaidyanathan argues: "DMK is now asking for not following principles laid down by Karunanidhi when he was CM. It would not amount to honouring his memory, it would actually amount to dishonouring".

9:45 am: The Madras High Court is hearing the arguments on a petition filed by the DMK seeking allotment of space at the Marina Beach for laying to rest its leader M Karunanidhi, who passed away yesterday. Here is the visual of heavy security outside the Anna Memorial:

9:40 am: CS Vaidyanathan says, "'DMK is pursuing political agenda by filing this case. Periyar was the tallest leader of the Dravidian movement. Was he buried at Marina beach?' Periyar is the tallest leader of the Dravidian movement. Was he buried in Marina?" CS Vaidyanathan also expresses displeasure over continuous interruptions by the DMK counsel.

9:35 am: DMK's lawyer continues: "There are one crore DMK followers in Tamil Nadu out of seven crore population of the state. They'll be offended if burial land is not allotted for Karunanidhi at Marina beach." Meanwhile, DMK lawyers expressed agitation over senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan’s comments on the 'stage-managed withdrawal'. There is a commotion in the court. Justice SS Sundar asks them to maintain silence.

9:25 am: DMK's lawyer says: "You (Tamil Nadu government) have announced state mourning. Why not give land for burial? There is no prohibition under the Central Government protocol to allot land at Marina beach for ex-CMs."

9:15 am: Advocates representing the DMK are arguing in the Madras High Court that Gandhi Mandapam is a place for Congress leaders and the party has ideological issues with Congress. "We want a decent burial for our leader at 'Anna Square' at Marina Beach," says the DMK lawyer. "Anna, who is the founder of DMK, used to say my life and soul is Karunanidhi. Burying Karunanidhi next to Gandhi Mandapam cannot be termed as a decent burial," adds the lawyer.

9:00 am: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president EVKS Elangovan pays his last respects to Karunanidhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at Rajaji Hall at around 11 am. Meanwhile, TMC leader GK Vasan has also arrived. Speaking to reporters after paying the homage, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan demands that "Bharat Ratna be conferred upon him (Karunanidhi). We also demand that his memorial be made near Anna Samadhi."

8:55 am: Madras High Court Acting Chief Justice records in his order, submissions made by DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi in his affidavit seeking burial land at Marina beach for Karunanidhi. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government's counter-affidavit submitted before the court says the DMK cannot challenge a press release issued by the state government expressing its inability to allot a space at Marina for the burial of Karunanidhi's body. It adds that M Karunanidhi himself did not allot Marina for Janaki Ramachandran after understanding the protocol manual when he was the Chief Minister.

8:45 am: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy takes to Twitter to says that DMK should not "make a fuss over Marina Beach". "Insisting on burial next to Anna is mooda numbikai which MK hated. Gandhi Mandapam is equally prestigious. Remember TDK denied Rajghat for PVNR and Chandrashekhar because they were not serving PMs. Rajiv exception:He was assassinated".

8:40 am: In total, all six cases against the construction of memorials at Marina Beach have been withdrawn. The Madras High Court has cleared to the Tamil Nadu government that verdict has to be delivered today. Tamil Nadu government senior counsel CS Vaidyanathan, however, says the State is not in any urgency to get the orders passed today and the court may pass it today if it wants.

8:22 am: The Madras High Court dismisses petitions filed by Traffic Ramaswamy, K Balu and Duraisamy challenging the construction of memorials at Marina Beach. In fact, under the present allocation of land as per the current policy of government protocol, two acres of land, which is the largest piece of land, has been allocated for Karunanidhi's burial. It is important to note that there have been other freedom fighters who have been allocated space in the said campus.

8:20 am: It is important to note that the Marina Beach has the memorials of three chief ministers - DMK founder C Annadurai, AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa - who passed away while holding the office. So far, if a request is made, the burial space for former CMs is provided at Gandhi Mandapam. Former CMs C Rajagopalachari, K Kamaraj and Bhaktavatsalam have their memorials at the Gandhi Mandapam.

8:10 am: The Madras High Court resumes the hearing. The Tamil Nadu government has filed a counter affidavit in the Madras High Court, refusing to provide space at the Marina Beach. The lawyer of activist Traffic Ramaswamy says: "We have no objection to the burial land for Karunanidhi". Acting Chief Justice tells the lawyer to withdraw his case. The Madras HC has directed Traffic Ramaswamy’s Counsel to file a memo that he has no objection to burying Karunanidhi’s body in Marina. The lawyer has submitted the memorandum to the Acting Chief Justice. So far, four petitions have been dismissed. This clears the legal hurdles cited by the Tamil Nadu government.

8:03 am: Senior Counsels P Wilson and NR Elango will appear for the DMK. Senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan and Additional Advocate General PH Arvindh Pandian will appear on the behalf of the Tamil Nadu government. Justice SS Sundar, the second judge in the Division Bench, reaches the Madras HC. Additional Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh is yet to reach.

8:00 am: Today's DMK newspaper Murasoli has been placed inside the icebox kept near to Karunanidhi's head. Karunanidhi used to spend his mornings reading and writing for Murasoli.

7:55 am: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit pays last respects to Karunanidhi, draped in the tricolour, at Rajaji Hall in Chennai. Meanwhile, DMK lawyers have reached the Madras High Court and the hearing on the DMK's plea seeking space at the Marina Beach for the burial of Karunanidhi's body is about to begin shortly.

7:45 am: The Madras High Court will on Wednesday morning decide on the DMK's petition against the Tamil Nadu government's decision to deny space for the burial of Karunanidhi's body near DMK founder CN Annadurai's memorial at the Marina Beach. During the hearing late last night, the court had asked the Tamil Nadu government and the Chennai Corporation to file their replies and adjourned the case to 8 am on Wednesday. The AIADMK government had said it was ready to give two acres near Gandhi Mandapam on Sardar Patel Road.

7:35 am: The mortal remains of Karunanidhi were first taken to his homes at Gopalapuram and at CIT Colony. They were later brought to Rajaji Hall early Wednesday. DMK party leaders have assembled at Rajaji Hall.

7:15 am: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam paid their last respects to Kalaignar at Rajaji Hall. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Palaniswami said, “This is a great loss for Tamil Nadu. My deep condolences to his family members & DMK party workers.” Earlier, actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth, along with his son-in-law actor Dhanush, paid homage to the five-time former CM of Tamil Nadu. (ALSO READ: Karunanidhi no more: HIGHLIGHTS)

7:00 am: The DMK stalwart’s mortal remains were brought to Rajaji Hall in Chennai, where they lay in state for people to pay their homage. Thousands have flocked to the Hall to pay their last tributes to the Dravidian leader, who was a champion of social reforms and worked hard for the poor and downtrodden citizens of the state. Security has been beefed up across Chennai and the state, with the Tamil Nadu government announcing a period of seven-day mourning.

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